Chateau Mouton Rothschild 2006
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Refinement and aromatic intensity, an alluring Pauillac First Growth
The estate
In 1853, Baron Nathaniel de Rothschild acquired Chateau Brane-Mouton at an auction. Located in the heart of the Medoc, in Pauillac, he renamed the estate Chateau Mouton Rothschild. In 1924, Baron Philippe de Rothschild took over the running of the estate. A true pioneer, he decided to start bottling directly on the estate and designed the label of the wine. 1973 marked the year when Chateau Mouton Rothschild became a Classified First Growth. Iconic in the Pauillac appellation, Chateau Mouton Rothschild has made fine Bordeaux wines shine throughout the world.
The vineyard
Situated to the north-west of Bordeaux, in the Médoc, Chateau Mouton Rothschild’s vineyard spreads across 90 hectares. The vines are planted on gravelly soils that retain the heat and release it during the night, thus favoring the ripening of the grapes. These poor, draining soils rest on a clay-gravel subsoil, giving the wines by Chateau Mouton Rothschild a unique powerful, elegant and tannic structure.
The vintage
The winter months were marked by heavy rainfall and the dry, warm weather conditions during spring were ideal and favored a rapid and even vegetative development. Flowering was early, as was veraison, which was slowed down from mid-July due to the heavy temperatures. Although the drop in temperature in August slowed down the ripening of the grapes, it accelerated considerably thanks to the heat waves recorded at the beginning of September. The grapes harvested from September 20th to October 5th were very high quality and in excellent condition.
The blend
Cabernet Sauvignon (87%)
Merlot (13%)
Chateau Mouton Rothschild 2006: Characteristics and tasting tips
The tasting
Color
Dark, with an intense cherry-red color.
Nose
Complex, the nose mixes fruity fragrances (blueberry) with milky and smoky notes (blond tobacco, incense, roasted hazelnut).
Palate
A precise and harmonious attack precedes a powerful palate. Crunchy and refined, the tannins are combined with a creamy feel and a pleasant smoothness.
Tasted at the Mouton-Rothschild vertical in London, the 2006 Mouton-Rothschild was really the wine that put winemaker Philippe Dhalluin on the map, in the sense that unlike the 2005 born in a great vintage, this 2006 had to transcend it. It remains one of the standouts of the growing season and actually replicates previous showings just the week earlier and in January. As expected, the nose has quite brilliant delineation with blackberry, graphite, here an almost cold slate-like scent. The palate is harmonious with the carefully judged acidity, fine-grain tannin and immense detail on the finish. Recent bottles suggest that it may close up for several years, in which case, either enjoy this in the next few months or cellar this for a few years and receive vinous dividends down the line. Tasted May 2016.